Andrei Kolesnikov

“It is a disconnect between people's feelings and the description of reality by Vladimir Putin, the description of his personal reality in his head,”

Andrei Kolesnikov · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Andrei Kolesnikov commented on Vladimir Putin's perception of the country's situation.

“This permanent feeling of anxiety is with everyone right now. You feel that something is wrong. Anxiety is the main sentiment,”

Andrei Kolesnikov · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Andrei Kolesnikov described the pervasive sense of anxiety among Russians.

“Maybe he's trying to hypnotise himself that everything is okay.”

Andrei Kolesnikov · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Andrei Kolesnikov criticized Vladimir Putin's attempts to downplay ongoing crises.

“This regime doesn't demonstrate any model of the future: the nearest future, a middle- term future, a long-term future. We are 'great' right now. What are the qualities of this greatness? The petrol crisis? In that sense, the future is aborted. People are trying not to think about the future. The horizon of planning is very short.”

Andrei Kolesnikov · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Andrei Kolesnikov reflected on the absence of a long-term vision for Russia's future.